MILWAUKEE - Frustration flowed from behind the desk of manager Terry Collins on Tuesday night after a 3-2 loss to the Brewers that dropped the Mets back to the .500 mark for the first time since April.

"All's I know is we're not executing [---- ]," Collins said, his harsh assessment of a loss that unfolded with stunningly consistent incompetence.

The Brewers scored the go-ahead run in the seventh when Michael Cuddyer let a ball get through his legs. And the Mets squandered another quality start thanks to an offense that failed to get a hit after the third inning.

After watching the team's sixth straight loss -- its longest losing streak of what had been a promising season -- Collins intends to address the group before Wednesday's game.

But even a peeved Collins acknowledged that words could only go so far, especially because he believes the Mets' problems haven't stemmed from a lack of effort.

"Who do you want me to yell at, the nine rookies? The veterans who play as hard as any veterans in this league? That play the game the right way? There's nobody to yell at."

At the moment, the manager's job is safe, according to sources within the organization. One called talk of a dismissal "very premature."

Still, Cuddyer said the timing might be right for a meeting.

"Collectively, we can get together and just talk about how we're being tested right now," Cuddyer said. "We're going to see what we're made of as a team. Whether it's with TC and the coaches and the players or just the players, it's something that we can all talk collectively through and get through this."

Propelled by an 11-game winning streak, the Mets began the season 14-4, but have endured an agonizing backslide by going 22-32 since.

Their lead in the NL East has evaporated, thanks in part to a wave of injuries that has thinned the roster and forced inexperienced players to pick up the slack.

On this road trip, they are winless in all six games, all while scoring a total of just eight runs.